The following document lists the file abstract/MYUN_806.abs
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We propose sensitive high resolution imaging of mid-infrared continuum and 12.8 micron [Ne II] line emission in three IR luminous galaxies with extended CO distribution (VV 114, Mrk 273, NGC 7674) using the ISO infrared camera (ISOCAM). The aim of this study is to trace the extent of the starburst activity in relation to the extended massive molecular complexes traced in CO and to test if these galaxies are the transitional objects in the early stages of evolving into the ultraluminous phase like Arp 220. We need the high angular resolution ( 5") achievable with ISOCAM in order to learn how the fuel (molecular gas traced in CO) and star forming activity are spatially related in these presumably young starburst galaxies. We also need the ability to probe deeply into highly obscured regions of massive star formation because both CO and near-IR observations imply high extinction toward the central regions of these galaxies. The mid-infrared continuum emission is used to trace the youngest stars (heating the dust) while the [Ne II] observations trace the hot gas associated with the star forming activity, independent of variations in the dust properties. Our proposed ISOCAM observations should reveal how the star formation proceeds and shapes these systems during the early stages of their evolution.